Harvey Weinstein to revive Charles James label?

Nancy James in Charles James Butterfly Gown, 1954 Photo: Photograph by Cecil Beaton, The Cecil Beaton Studio Archive at Sotheby's

It looks as if Charles James's Met moment is set to continue well after the exhibition in his honour bows and the
Met Ball
excitement
(see it all here)
dies down. Reports suggest that movie mogul Harvey Weinstein is about to revive the late couturier's label with the help of his wife, Marchesa co-founder Georgina Chapman, and James's children.

Weinstein is said to have been in talks with James's children, Charles Jr and Louise, who are in possession of their father's designs and archives, since it was announced that James would be the subject of
the Met's major fashion exhibition for 2014.

The deal would "create an exclusive couture house" and cover all licensing rights, including a fragrance. Weinstein's wife and her brother, Marchesa CEO Edward, will be "retained as creative consultants", adds the source.

If true, it will be the second time Weinstein has invested in a defunct fashion house. In 2007 he bought Halston with Sarah Jessica Parker and others. Though the revived brand was a success, Weinstein left the company in 2011.

Georgina Chapman and Harvey Weinstein. Photo: Rex

"When they bought Halston, Harvey was part of a consortium," said the source. "He always believed in licensing. In this case, the Weinstein Company would be the sole partner with the James family. So there would be one voice, with the Weinstein Company running the business."